Is Yellowstone open right now?
From the NPS
Current alerts
1 closure1 caution3 information
- Park Closure
Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion
The parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at the site of a hydrothermal explosion that occurred July 23, 2024.
More on nps.gov - Caution
Stay Away From Bull Elk
Bull elk are fast and unpredictable this time of year and can seriously injure people. If an elk charges, run. In addition to staying at least 25 yards (23 m) away from elk and bison, always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.
More on nps.gov - Information
West Thumb Geyser Basin Boardwalk - Partial Closure
A section of the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk will be closed to Fishing Cone and Lakeshore Geyser through mid-October while crews replace damaged support structures along the shoreline. The remaining sections of boardwalk will remain open to visitors. Dates are subject to change without notice.
More on nps.gov - Information
Traffic Delays - Gardner River High Bridge
Expect a single lane of traffic with up to 15-minute delays, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 through late October 2026. Oversized/overweight vehicles (8'6"+ wide, 75'+ long, 80,000 lbs+ gross vehicle weight) will not be able to cross the bridge during this time.
More on nps.gov - Information
Vehicle Entrance Reservation Not Needed
Although an entrance pass is required to enter Yellowstone National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. You are encouraged to purchase an entrance pass before arriving, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival.
More on nps.gov
Checked Oct 1, 2026, 3:39 PM ET from the NPS alerts feed. Closures can be partial (one road or trail), so read each alert.
Opening hours (NPS)
All Park Hours
monday All Day tuesday All Day wednesday All Day thursday All Day friday All Day saturday All Day sunday All Day West Entrance
monday All Day tuesday All Day wednesday All Day thursday All Day friday All Day saturday All Day sunday All Day North Entrance
monday All Day tuesday All Day wednesday All Day thursday All Day friday All Day saturday All Day sunday All Day East Entrance
monday All Day tuesday All Day wednesday All Day thursday All Day friday All Day saturday All Day sunday All Day
Before you go
- Entrance: $35 / vehicle · $100 nonresident fee (16+)
Yellowstone guide: crowds, fees & more →Reservations in 2026 →
FAQ
Yellowstone: open or closed?
- Is Yellowstone National Park open year-round?
- The National Park Service says: "Yellowstone is open daily, year-round, although activities and services are limited at night and certain times of year. The park has five entrance stations, but not all entrance stations are open year-round. Make sure to carefully read about access at each station at different times of year. And remember, all dates are weather-dependent. Please note that camping is possible only in designated campgrounds." Roads, campgrounds and visitor centers can still close for the season or for weather, so check current alerts.
- How do I check closures at Yellowstone?
- This page lists the park's current NPS alerts, refreshed hourly. The National Park Service's own current-conditions page for Yellowstone is the authority for road status and closures.
Sources · 3
- 1.Yellowstone National Park — current conditions · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — alerts · National Park Service
- 3.NPS Visitor Use Statistics — monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (IRMA stats REST service) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) — Visitor Use Statistics Program
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